Program Overview

Launched in early 2014, WRI Indonesia builds on WRI’s global 20-year history in the country and the official establishment of the WRI Indonesia office has strengthened our impact on the ground in recent years. Our current work primarily focuses on agriculture, forest, land use, climate, energy, cities, and the ocean. Within WRI Indonesia, these portfolios are subsumed into two deputies based on terrestrial and non-terrestrial based consisting of 1) AFOLU which covers Agriculture, Forest, and Land Use; and 2) CECO which comprises of Climate, Energy, Cities and the Ocean.

Climate program within WRI focuses on four main areas: stepping up national climate action, advancing international climate action, tracking progress toward climate goals, and supporting equity and development goals in the transition to a zero-carbon economy. Our research evaluates the technical, economic and social benefits of climate action, as well as the costs of inaction. We work with national governments to design ambitious near-term climate plans that align with long-term temperature goals, and help integrate these into economic, sectoral and development plans. We help international policymakers advance climate solutions through negotiations and accords such as the Paris Agreement. We support businesses, civil society, local governments and other non-state actors as they pursue their own emissions-reduction and adaptation goals. We build tools to track global progress on fighting the climate crisis, inform good decision-making and ensure accountability for existing commitments. And we work with thought leaders around the world to accelerate adaptation efforts that will help vulnerable communities build resilience against climate impacts.

The ASEAN-China cooperation mechanism has played an important role in promoting closer political and economic ties between ASEAN member states and China, and has become one of the major fora for regional cooperation. China has retained its position as ASEAN’s largest trading partner since 2009. Trade between ASEAN and China has more than doubled since 2010, from USD 235.5 billion to USD 516.9 billion in 2020 (18% of ASEAN’s total trade). The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement that entered into force in January 2022 also include China and six ASEAN member states, namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

Considering both China and most of the ASEAN countries have committed to carbon neutrality goals, there are immediate and huge opportunities to leverage these trading partners to accelerate their low-carbon transition by decarbonizing the embedded carbon in their trade flows. Further, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam have also endorsed the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use, which could serve as a good entry point to stop deforestation and reduce land sector carbon emissions in the region.

What You Will Do

The ASEAN-China Trade Specialist will handle a range of responsibilities. Some of the key responsibilities will include:

Scientific Works (80%)

• Identify ASEAN-China trade commodities with carbon embedded in their trade flows from non-forest sector
• Conduct data collection on ASEAN-China trade for non-forest sector within a certain period of time (time series) and deep dive trade data collection between China and around 2 ASEAN member countries
• Identify methodologies to calculate trade embedded carbon between China and ASEAN member countries
• Conduct a light desk study of trade policies of other regions, such as EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) for benchmarking 
• Review research plans and products (e.g. policy briefs, articles, reports, working papers, presentations, technical documentation/guidelines, etc.) developed by the team
• Participate in writing knowledge products, roadmaps, and communication products if necessary

General Support (20 %)

• Attend, participate in, and document meetings and conferences with key stakeholders related with formulation of the research activities.
• Collaborate and coordinate with government at national and regional level, partner organization and staff across WRI Indonesia, WRI Global and international offices.
• Maintain great communication with key partners in the projects, be it from the government, private sectors, or communities
• Actively coordinate with Ministry of Trade of targeted ASEAN countries, ASEAN Secretariat, People Republic of China embassy in Jakarta, Chamber of Commerce representatives in targeted ASEAN countries.
• Lead strategic meetings and discussion forums with external partners

What You Will Need

Education: You have completed a bachelor’s degree in international relations, international development, public policy, business and administration, economics, environmental science, or related subjects. And legally able to work in Indonesia

Experiences:

• Demonstrated experience in the collecting and analysing bi-lateral and multi-lateral trade data. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to understand local, national, and international issues from different perspectives
• Comfortable communicating with different audiences, including colleagues, government officials, academics, and donors. Have a good communication skill both orally and in writing, with Indonesia and English fluency.
• Having a fluency in Mandarin is a plus.
• A self-motivated learner with a willingness and ability to take on new challenges as required.

Individual ability:

• Good track record to work effectively in a team with different cultures and professions to achieve expected objectives.
• Working individually and as team.
• Involved and build good relationships with government institutions and other stakeholders
• Meeting a deadline and work under pressure.
• Personal commitment, efficiency, flexibility and motivation to achieve expected results.

Deliverables

1. Bi-weekly update that can be used by management team to manage risks and address bottleneck/ delays that may occur
2. Workplan on data collection, including strategies and approaches
3. Brief report on identification of trade commodities with carbon embedded in their trade flows for non-forest sector
4. Consolidated database of ASEAN-China trade for non-forest sector, focusing on around two ASEAN countries within certain period of time 
5. Involve in writing project reports for donor and respective stakeholder in which project assigned to.
6. Consolidated database of project documentation, knowledge products, and other project outputs that are maintained regularly.
7. Data collection of project activities results from field and partners for project’s progress indicator verification.

Duration

6 months period from 1 March 2023 – 1 August 2023

Terms of Payment

Daily-rate based consultant with maximum of 18 (eighteen) working days per month.

Contract Arrangement

Individual consultancy contract (Part-time, limited term)

What we offer:

• Consultant rate that is commensurate with experience and skills
• Travel insurance for both domestic and international for any travel duty as assigned by WRI Indonesia
• Access to the WRI global network
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work

Must have authorization to work in Indonesia to be eligible for this position.

Final candidates might be required to take a writing test and to produce two writing samples when needed.

How to apply: In order to be formally considered, please submit an updated resume and cover letter through WRI career portal.

Application close: 1700 (DKI Jakarta local time), 22 February 2023. We will close the advert earlier when the best candidates are identified at earlier dates. 

This is a locally engaged position; Indonesian nationals are encouraged to apply.

About Us

Founded in 1982, World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.  

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.

Our mission and values:

WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence, Respect. 

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, we embrace all diversity and encourage women, the LGBTQ+ community, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply. Recognizing our strong commitment to gender equality, WRI has also been awarded EDGE certification.

WRI Indonesia is national entity (Yayasan) associated with the World Resources Institute (WRI), a global environmental research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. WRI work with various stakeholders in the natural resources sector to support policy and management that are both profitable and sustainable. WRI work with leaders in more than 50 countries for more than 30 years, with offices in Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and the United States.

Launched in early 2014, WRI Indonesia builds on WRI’s 10-year history in the country, and strengthens our impact on the ground. In the short-to-medium term, WRI Indonesia aims to expand its presence and portfolio to include projects in the climate, energy, as well as city and transportation programs.